Overview
Since its beginnings in 1935, Tenwek Hospital has grown into one of East Africa’s most respected mission hospitals. Known for clinical excellence, compassionate care, and healthcare education, the hospital serves patients from across Kenya while maintaining a strong commitment to faith-based service and community engagement.
Learners join a vibrant educational environment that includes residency programs, nursing education, allied health training, and community development initiatives. The combination of referral-level medicine, specialty services, and strong mentorship provides exceptional opportunities for clinical and professional growth.
Location Information
Location & Community
Bomet County, Kenya, is located in the Rift Valley region northeast of Nairobi and just east of Lake Victoria. The altitude varies from 5000 to 9000 above sea level. Average temperatures in Bomet County are between 28-32 degrees Celsius (82-86 degrees Fahrenheit). During the cold months, temperatures reduces to as low as 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit). On average, the warmest month is March and coolest month is August. The rainfall patterns are distributed well throughouta the year.
The topography of the area is moderately steep, an attribute that promotes horticulture and dairy cattle keeping. The main backbone of the economy of Bomet County is derived from the sale of tea produced for local and international markets. Tourism also contributes to the economy as visitors are drawn to sceneries such as Olambwe Valley forest, Kariandusi Prehistoric sites, Langa Langa racing circuit, Mariwa Archaeological Reserve and Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Become familiar with Kenya’s culture, history and economy by reviewing the Wikipedia Kenya Profile. Rich resources for Kenya health information include the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation IHME Kenya Country Profile and the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory Kenya Data.
People Served
This region of the Rift Valley is home to the Kipsigis people – a dominant tribe. The other tribal group is the Maasai – proud, bold nomadic cattle herders who own large collective tracts of land. The area had no electricity service until 1980. Roads are still sparse. Most people live via subsistence farming amid great poverty.
Languages
All hospital business is conducted in English. Half of patients speak English, and half speak only Kipsigis. A lesser number speak Ma and Swahili. Hospital staff is available to provide interpretation.
Healthcare Facilities
In 1935, the Colonial Kenyan government granted 10 acres to World Gospel Mission where Catherine Smith began treating illnesses and delivering babies. In the decades since that time, Tenwek Hospital has grown in every dimension, while maintaining their position that We Treat – Jesus Heals.
Comprehensive outpatient and inpatient care is provided in all the major fields, including pediatrics, internal medicine, general and orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, and emergency medicine. Obstetrics and gynecology are particularly active, providing family planning, cancer screening, limited fertility and cancer treatment, and approximately 3000 deliveries each year, with a Caesarean section rate of 22 to 28 percent.
Medical care is supported by an electronic medical record system, full radiology and ultrasound, CT, echocardiography, comprehensive laboratory including microbiology, and endoscopy.
Tenwek Hospice was established in 2001 in response to a great need to care for people with terminal illnesses, especially the growing number of people living with HIV/AIDS. A team of trained hospice nurses make hundreds of home visits each year at no charge, reaching out to patients and families with terminal illnesses to help them have a comfortable and dignified end to their lives.
HIV Care Services
Tenwek Hospital hosts grant-funded HIV services that include:
- Volunteer Counseling and Testing (VCT)
- Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
- Training of teachers and students via the TCHD public health initiative Why Wait – an abstinence based, biblical character formation curriculum
- ART therapy and management of AIDS complications
- Mobilizing and assisting the churches to care for AIDS orphans
Physical & Occupational Therapy Services
Disabilities represent a vast and largely unattended human need in Kenya, addressed by Tenwek Hospital’s basic physical therapy services.
Public Health Initiatives
Tenwek Community Health and Development (TCHD) was founded in 1983 with the simple mission of eliminating childhood infectious diseases. This dream has been realized and expanded such that TCHD is, today, a leading development agency in the South Rift Valley region, continuing under the motto Bir Mat Ko Loo – Prevention is Better Than Cure. Students are welcome to participate in public health initiatives, which include:
- Provision of safe and accessible water and sanitation via bio-sand water filters, construction of rain water holding tanks at area schools, capping of natural springs, construction of pit latrines, and personal hygiene training for primary school children.
- Material child health promotion via immunization and antenatal care clinics and preventative health education through community resource persons.
- Green House Training that encourages community empowerment through leadership training, financial accountability, and local cooperative efforts.
Healthcare Profession Staff
Tenwek enjoys healthcare profession leadership from both Kenyan and international personnel. The majority of the latter are American, and represented specialties include family medicine, internal medicine, infectious diseases, pediatrics, general surgery, and orthopedics.
Facility Support
INMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to financially support this facility. While such efforts are not required, they provide opportunity for INMED learners to become involved in this important aspect of international healthcare.
Communication
Wi-fi is available in the hospital and guesthouses for a small fee. Visitors may be given cell phones to facilitate their hospital responsibilities.
Travel and Logistics
Visa Matters
For current information please visit the United States embassy website appropriate for one’s home nationality.
Traveler's Health & Safety
Travelers should consult with a personal physician before embarking. All routine vaccinations must be up to date. Refer to the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information.
Travelers are advised to refer to the United States State Department website for the most up-to-date general travel information, and to regularly view current travel advisories.
Learners Experience
Consistent with Tenwek Hospital’s mission statement “…excellence in teaching for service,” the institution makes a hearty investment into healthcare education. Both Kenyan and international medical students participate in clinical opportunities. Kenyan students often later become medical officer interns and resident physicians in family medicine and surgery at Tenwek Hospital, qualifying for Masters degrees through Kenya’s Moi University. Surgery residency training is accomplished in cooperation with the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). Medical education is complemented by daily conferences, book reviews, journal clubs, and research activities.
The Tenwek School of Nursing has been training qualified nurses since 1987, including specialized tracts for community health nurses and for midwives, many of whom become the principal nurses for the hospital. Tenwek, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya and Christian Health Association of Kenya also offers a training program for clinical officer interns (similar to physician assistants or nurse practitioners), including tracts for anesthetists and ophthalmology. Other Tenwek training programs include those for dental technicians, laboratory technicians, pharmaceutical technicians, and chaplains. Education is complemented by a respectable library. Previous INMED Learners who served at this training site include these Graduates.
Transportation
Travelers should fly into Nairobi. Arrangements will be made with a guesthouse in Nairobi for pick up from the airport. Travelers could expect to stay overnight, as the drive to Tenwek Hospital is 4 hours.
Lodging & Meals
Students and visitors are provided accommodation in guesthouses during their stay. The modern facilities create a friendly environment for study, as well as relaxation. Each quarters generally has two twin beds, a bathroom, and kitchenette. All are connected to a central room with larger kitchen, and entertainment room.
For those who choose a meal plan, breakfast and dinner are provided at guesthouse. The lunch meal (considered the main meal in Kenya) is provided at the guest house, at the hospital, or a private residence. Guests also may cook on their own, utilizing a mini store attached to the guesthouse where one can purchase food items.
Behavior & Dress
For work duties and ventures outside the home women should wear skirts below the knee. Neither men nor women should wear short pants. Short sleeves are acceptable for both men and women, as are surgical scrubs.
Recreation
The Tenwek campus has a gorgeous hiking loop with its own waterfall. The scenic Motigo Mountain, highest elevation in the region, is a frequent hiking venture just outside the campus. Darts, table tennis, volleyball, and racket ball are favorite afterhours activities. The Masai Mara Safari Club is available to arrange weekend tours around Kenya.
What to Pack
Visitors should bring copies of all healthcare profession licenses, diplomas, or certifications. The weather may become chilly at times, so it is advisable to bring some warm clothes. It is recommended to also pack a carry-on bag that has essential items just in case one’s luggage becomes lost.